As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Detroit, things looked bleak for the Cowboys. The loss to the Lions dropped them to 6-6-1, snapping a three-game win streak and derailing what had suddenly become a burgeoning playoff bid. A few days – and another Eagles self destruction – later, things have been upgraded […] As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Detroit, things looked bleak for the Cowboys. The loss to the Lions dropped them to 6-6-1, snapping a three-game win streak and derailing what had suddenly become a burgeoning playoff bid. A few days – and another Eagles self destruction – later, things have been upgraded from bleak to just dire. They currently have an 11% chance to make the playoffs, according to the playoff simulator at The Athletic. Even a single loss the rest of the way drops them under 3%, and likely eliminates them not long after. To call it a longshot would be an understatement, but Brian Schottenheimer is fine with that. The first-year head coach is plenty used to being a longshot. A coach’s son, Schottenheimer was always supposed to be the “next big thing.” You’d think that in a league full of good ol’ boys who care more about who you know than what you can do, Schottenheimer would’ve been a head coach much sooner. After all, his father is one of just eight head coaches in history with 200+ career wins. But it took time for Schottenheimer, who was often overlooked for various reasons. When Rex Ryan took over as the head coach of the Jets, and decided to retain Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator, expectations were low in New York. After Week 11, the Jets were written off at 4-6 after losing three straight. But Ryan, Schottenheimer, and the rest of the team kept the faith in what they were building. They then ripped off three straight, finally getting above .500, before a loss to the Falcons set them back. But they stayed the course, winning their final two games – including blowing out Peyton Manning’s Colts and shutting out a 10-win Bengals team – and making the playoffs as the final Wild Card team. Despite holding a 9-7 record and sneaking into the postseason, the Jets were the most dangerous team in the league. They proved it, too, beating the Bengals again before upsetting the Chargers in San Diego. That brought them all the way to the AFC Championship Game almost exactly two months after being written off at 4-6. And while the Colts would beat them to go onto the Super Bowl, it didn’t diminish the magical run the Jets had pulled off. Schottenheimer finds himself in a very similar situation now. Just like the 2009 Jets, the 2025 Cowboys ripped off three straight wins before suffering a disappointing loss. Now, they need to run the table just to have a hope at the playoffs. Their remaining schedule isn’t as tough as that Jets team was, but the Vikings and Chargers are hardly pushovers. And while the Giants and Commanders are just thinking about the draft already, divisional road games are still never easy. The Cowboys need some help, yes, but they can only focus on what they control. Winning out the rest of the way puts them at 10-6-1 and, according to the playoff simulator, gives them a 54% chance to make the playoffs regardless of the outcome of any other games. Throw in just one more loss for the Eagles, in any game, and those odds surge to over 70%. Over the last decade, only two teams have failed to make the playoffs after winning 10 games. The Seahawks did it last year, while the Dolphins did it in 2020. The vast majority of the time, 10 wins is as good as clinching the playoffs; on the rare occasion it isn’t good enough, it’s hard to feel bad about that year given its rarity. What this all boils down to is the fact that the Cowboys have a shot, long as it may be. At the very least, they’ll be able to hold their heads high knowing they did everything in their power to get into the postseason. And, in the optimistic scenario, Schottenheimer recaptures some of that 2009 mojo and takes the Cowboys all the way to the NFC Championship Game. It’s hard to envision such a scenario right now, but just ask Jets fans how they felt at this point. Schottenheimer knows, too. And he knows that this team is far from being out of it in early December. All they have to do is keep fighting. See More: Dallas Cowboys Playoffs

This Week 15 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings is an important one for both organizations. Both teams are still technically in the playoff race, but the Cowboys are the ones that still have a realistic path. Minnesota is building for the future. With home field advantage and arguably the better roster, the […] This Week 15 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings is an important one for both organizations. Both teams are still technically in the playoff race, but the Cowboys are the ones that still have a realistic path. Minnesota is building for the future. With home field advantage and arguably the better roster, the Dallas Cowboys are favored to win this game. To do so though, they need to win certain matchups to help sway the game in their favor. Here are the key matchups will be paying particularly close attention to this week. DT Quinnen Williams vs. RB Aaron Jones Aaron Jones is coming off his second highest rushing game (76 yards) this year with the Vikings and could really be looking forward to this Week 15 matchup. The success he had against the Cowboys over the years is undeniable. In his last four games against them he’s scored a total of nine touchdowns. That was then though and this is now. Quinnen Williams’ addition has much improved in Dallas’ run defense, with the exception of last week against the Lions. This could be a first time in a long time the Cowboys managed to shut down Aaron Jones. CB DaRon Bland vs. WR Justin Jefferson With only 810 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Justin Jefferson isn’t having the type of season expected from a player of his caliber. Most is that it’s due to the erratic QB play the Vikings have struggled through this season. Jefferson is still Minnesota’s best offensive weapon and someone who has to be accounted for. That job could fall to DaRon Bland, who is having somewhat of a down season himself. It’s going to be interesting if Bland is asked to shadow Jefferson this week and to see who might get the better of the other. RB Javonte Williams vs. Vikings’ run defense Javonte Williams’ production has dipped a little over the last few games due to the Cowboys playing from behind after getting off to slow starts, but things could change for the better for No. 33 this week against Minnesota. Williams has two 100+ rushing yard games so far this season with the Cowboys and there’s a good chance he could make it three in this Week 15 matchup against the Vikings. They are currently allowing 126.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 22nd in the league. This is a matchup that could help the sway the game in the Cowboys favor. See More: Dallas Cowboys Roster

Schottenheimer: CB Trevon Diggs must show ‘consistency in everything’ before returning – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News The Trevon Diggs saga continues to be a weird one. FRISCO — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer hinted Wednesday that cornerback Trevon Diggs needs to do more in his rehab work to get taken off the injured list, where he’s been […] Schottenheimer: CB Trevon Diggs must show ‘consistency in everything’ before returning – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News The Trevon Diggs saga continues to be a weird one. FRISCO — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer hinted Wednesday that cornerback Trevon Diggs needs to do more in his rehab work to get taken off the injured list, where he’s been since Oct. 25. Diggs has missed the last seven games due to soreness in both knees and concussion recovery. Diggs is no longer in concussion protocol but is rehabbing from knee issues. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice. There was a belief Diggs would play against Detroit last week, but he was not moved from the injured list. “In terms of Trevon, he’s still in the ramp period,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he does feel healthy, I know he wants to play, but at the end of the day, we have to do what we think is the best interest of not just him, but also the football team, and when you miss some time, there’s the ramp-up period. It is not just for your body, but for your mind and figuring out some of the defense, and there’s some new faces in the huddle and things like that. So again, love him as a player, but ultimately he’s got to show us he’s ready to do everything the right way.” When asked what Diggs needs to do in a follow-up question, Schottenheimer said, “Everything. Consistency through everything. He’s no different than Dak Prescott or Jake Ferguson or Kenny Clark. Just continue to do everything the right way. Thought last week was a good first step and hopefully this week is an even better step, and if it is, you’ll see him out there.” Ryan Flournoy on journey to earning Cowboys’ trust: ‘I didn’t blink’ – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Ryan Flournoy is securing the WR3 role in Dallas. FRISCO, Texas – In late August, WR Ryan Flournoy had made the Cowboys’ 53-man roster heading into his second season with the team after being a sixth-round pick in 2024. Two days later, he was waived. “It was definitely a shock to me,” Flournoy said. “I was going to celebrate with my wife [for] making the 53-man the roster and then got the call. But honestly, I didn’t blink. I knew God had a plan, He’s going to pave the way. If my story wasn’t written by Him, I’d be lost.” Flournoy recalled the events of the day, especially his meeting with Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. “It was a meeting, probably a quick 10-minute meeting, he said he would love to get me back, for me to survive waivers and stuff like that,” Flournoy said. “That he would be devastated if I was to go to a different team. I came back, got put on practice squad, got elevated and everything he said came true. He is a man of his word.” Sure enough, Flournoy was back with his teammates in no time on the practice squad shortly thereafter. Two weeks later, he was signed back to the active roster where he’s been ever since. “Just keep working every single day,” Flournoy said of his mindset. “I’m a person to grind. I don’t want to get handouts, I always want to be on time, I always want to be on time, I always want to do the right thing. I feel like I get rewarded for doing stuff like that. Even when stuff doesn’t go my way, it’s okay, I just continue to put my head down and just keep going.” Cowboys get positive injury news as defensive tone-setter returns to practice – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated Jadeveon Clowney was back at practice on Wednesday. The Dallas Cowboys were without one of their key defensive players last Thursday and it showed. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was dealing with a hamstring injury all week and tested out the injury before the game. He was unable to play, leaving Dallas without their best edge run defender. With him out, the Detroit Lions had plenty of success on the ground, running for 109 yards with an average of 5.0 per attempt. That was in stark contrast to their recent performances where they were having plenty of success against the run. Thankfully for the Cowboys, Clowney shouldn’t be out much longer. He’s expected to be back at practice on Wednesday, which means he should suit up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15. CeeDee Lamb is progressing well as he navigates through concussion protocol. Everything appears to be on track for the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ahead of Week 15. Lamb entered the concussion protocol during the Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions, and his status remains one of the top storylines ahead of Sunday Night Football. After all, the Cowboys will need their best wide receiver against the Minnesota Vikings’ dangerous pass defense. Let’s dive into the latest surrounding the Cowboys’ star wide receiver. Latest CeeDee Lamb injury update On Wednesday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided an important update on Lamb right before the team’s first practice. “CeeDee is progressing nicely through the process, the protocol,” Schottenheimer said. “He has two more things he’s gotta get done, but I feel good about that.” Clearly, the Cowboys appear optimistic about Lamb’s chances of playing on Sunday. Based on Wednesday’s practice, you should be as well. The final two steps of the NFL’s return-to-play protocol are club-based non-contact drills, and full football activity. Clearance requires an Independent Neurological Consultant to examine the player. Schotty on Cowboys’ biggest struggle: ‘We need to start faster’ – Patrik Walker,

The emotional rollercoaster of the NFL season rages on. After losing to the Detroit Lions last Thursday, the Cowboys still have a chance in the division, but they must quickly rebound during their ten-day layoff for Sunday night’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys have managed injuries to key players all season and […] The emotional rollercoaster of the NFL season rages on. After losing to the Detroit Lions last Thursday, the Cowboys still have a chance in the division, but they must quickly rebound during their ten-day layoff for Sunday night’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys have managed injuries to key players all season and navigated them well, but it appears things are looking up. Here’s the latest news we have on the health of the team. CeeDee Lamb (concussion) was limited at practice on Wednesday. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that Lamb is improving but has a few more thresholds to pass before playing Sunday. He was seen participating in drills on the field today. Trevon Diggs (knee) was limited on Wednesday. Diggs is eager to return, yet the team hasn’t seen enough just yet to be convinced to activate him from injured reserve. Tyler Guyton (ankle) still hasn’t practiced since beginning his multi-week absence because of a high-ankle sprain. Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring) returned to practice after missing last Thursday’s game against the Lions. The Cowboys designated him as limited. Aside from Guyton, Malik Hooker (NIR-Personal) was the only other player not practicing today. See More: Dallas Cowboys Injuries

It is an interesting time for the Dallas Cowboys, and for fans of the team. The Cowboys roller-coaster season started with some positives, including a closer-than-expected game on the road against the Eagles, and an unexpected tie with the Packers. At one point they were 2-2-1, and had hope. Then came the losses, including a […] It is an interesting time for the Dallas Cowboys, and for fans of the team. The Cowboys roller-coaster season started with some positives, including a closer-than-expected game on the road against the Eagles, and an unexpected tie with the Packers. At one point they were 2-2-1, and had hope. Then came the losses, including a brutal one at home against the hapless Cardinals. Heading into the bye, it felt like the season was over except for just playing out the games. Then came the wins over the Eagles and the Chiefs, and hope was renewed. Only to be followed by the heartbreak of the Lions loss, which was somewhat muted by the Eagles loss and a small chance remaining of grabbing the NFC East crown. It’s been up and down all season. Granted it has never been great, we’ve never absolutely looked like we would make the playoffs, but through certain sections of the schedule you could sense that there was potential… for something. And maybe not just in this moment, but for the future. So as we sit at this uncertain time, stuck between dreaming of making the playoffs, and lamenting the mistakes the team has made on the way, we have a question. Are you confident in the direction of the Cowboys? Vote in the poll and then hit the comments. Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cowboys fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. See More: Dallas Cowboys discussion

There may be some vacancies in the Cowboys coaching staff after the season. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been on a hot seat practically the whole season and even special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen is coming under increased scrutiny. The Cowboys have not been averse to bringing back coaches that have coached in Dallas before. […] There may be some vacancies in the Cowboys coaching staff after the season. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been on a hot seat practically the whole season and even special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen is coming under increased scrutiny. The Cowboys have not been averse to bringing back coaches that have coached in Dallas before. Matt Eberflus (DAL 2011-17) is just the most recent example, but before him Mike Zimmer (DAL 1994-2006) was brought back for a one-year stint in 2024, Aden Durde was a coaching intern from 2014-2015 before coming back as a defensive line coach from 2021-2023, Dave Campo worked his way up from defensive assistant all the way to head coach (DAL 1989-2002) before coming back for a stint as defensive backs coach (DAL 2008-2011), George Edwards was the linebackers coach from 1998-2001 before coming back for a three-year stretch as senior defensive assistant two decades later (DAL 2020-22). And you’d better believe the Cowboys would have brought back Sean Payton (DAL 2003-05) if that had been at all possible at any point. Could the Cowboys go down a similar route, opting for the familiar over the unknown, as they look at their potential opening at defensive coordinator? A lot of that will depend on how things ended in Dallas the first time. Was the first split amicable or contentious? With that in mind and knowing that we’re not always privy to the inner workings of the hiring/firing process, here are some candidates the Cowboys might consider bringing back. Aden Durde. Durde is making waves as the defensive coordinator in Seattle, and he’s already being mentioned as a potential head coach candidate. That move might be a bit early for him, but would a lateral move back to Dallas be of any interest for Durde? Probably not, but he would be an excellent get for the Cowboys. Al Harris. Harris is the defensive backs coach & defensive pass game coordinator in Chicago, and his team is leading the league in interceptions. He was already turned down as the DC in Dallas last year, that doesn’t improve the Cowboys chances of getting him back. Joe Whitt. Whitt came in with Dan Quinn from 2021-23 as the passing game coordinator, but chose to follow Quinn to Washington in 2024 as defensive coordinator. Whitt was recently stripped of his play-calling duties and will likely be available after the season, but his résumé in Washington does not make a lateral move to another DC position likely. Mike Zimmer. Third time’s a charm? Probably not for Zimmer. Word on the Dallas streets is that the split last year was not amicable, Zimmer was eyeing the vacant head coach position, the Cowboys didn’t even see him as a DC candidate. Dan Quinn. I’m putting Quinn in as an honorable mention, even if there’s zero chance he comes back to Dallas next year. He’ll remain the head coach in Washington for at least one more year. Let us know in the comments if you’d like one of these former Cowboys coaches back, whether you’d give Eberflus one more year, or whether you want the Cowboys to look outside as they potentially look for their fourth defensive coordinator in four years. See More: Dallas Cowboys coaching staff

Each week we dive into each team’s rookie class and compare how they stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com) Dallas Cowboys Tyler Booker (OG) First Round Tyler Booker’s night in Detroit was the game of a rookie guard doing his job while the […] Each week we dive into each team’s rookie class and compare how they stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com) Dallas Cowboys Tyler Booker (OG) First Round Tyler Booker’s night in Detroit was the game of a rookie guard doing his job while the waves kept coming. On the road in a loud building, he logged every snap and held his own. He was charged with zero sacks or penalties and just two pressures allowed across 82 reps, even as Dallas as a team took five sacks and managed to log just 91 rushing yards. For Booker, the season arc is encouraging. Booker’s PFF profile has him tracking as a run-game hammer. He’s at 71.5 overall which is 25th among guards this season, but his 78.0 run-block ranks 11th. At the unit level, Dallas remains solid by blocking standards. They’re at 65% as a team Pass Block Win Rate (13th) and 71% Run Block Win Rate (16th), so hovering middle of the rankings. The immediate problem is Minnesota, and their numbers are louder than their headlines. The Vikings are third in team Pass Rush Win Rate (44%) and 11th in Run Stop Win Rate (31%), and they’re one of the league’s best no blitz pressure defenses. Personnel-wise, the waves come from everywhere. Dallas Turner and Eric Wilson are both at 5.5 sacks this season, while Jalen Redmond and Andrew Van Ginkel are both over five sacks each. It’s a deep, interchangeable front that stresses communication more than it asks one star to win every snap. Grade: 71.5 Donovan Ezeiraku (DE) Second Round Ezeiruaku arrives in Vikings week with a rookie résumé that finally looks loud in the right places. The counting line is trending up with two sacks, one forced fumble, nine tackles for loss and 34 total tackles. He’s also at 30 quarterback pressures, third-most on the team, and leads the Cowboys defense on PFF in defensive grade at 79.5, that’s a solid start for the young Boston College defensive standout. On paper, Minnesota protects well at the tackle spots but still takes too many hits. Brian O’Neill charts at 19th in offensive tackle Pass Block win-rate at 92%, and a PFF offensive grade of 80.3 which ranks 12th among tackles. Christian Darrisaw, on the opposite side, ranks 50th on PFF among tackles. Yet the Vikings as a team have been sacked 3.62 times per game with a 11.7% quarterback sack rate, which sits in the bottom five of the league. So the picture of good edges, inconsistent interiors, and young QBs who can hold the ball too long is something for Ezeiruaku to key in on. Ezeiruaku’s personal tackling has mostly held up with only eight missed tackles this year, so the emphasis is converting his pressures into finishes. With the Vikings allowing the third-most sacks on the season (47), Ezeiruaku should have a chance of adding to his sack totals. Grade: 79.5 Shavon Revel Jr. (CB) Revel had his roughest Sunday yet in Detroit. The Lions found him early, then kept coming. He surrendered a touchdown on a broken play, struggled finishing in run support, and never quite reset the momentum of his day. It wasn’t all doom, but the tape reads like a first-year corner still recovering from injury. He’s been a tick late at the top of routes, angles that turned five-yard stops into eight, and tackling that needs a smidge of tightening up. Minnesota’s pass game has been choppy overall. It’s third-least in passing yardage and a sack problem that won’t quit, but the receivers are still blue-chip. Justin Jefferson leads the team with 64 catches for 810 yards and two touchdowns, Jordan Addison ranks second with 37 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns, and T.J. Hockenson is third with for 370 yards and three scores. Add a young quarterback who holds the ball a tick too long and you get the weird split that matters for a corner. Grade: 35.8 Shemar James (LB) Fifth Round James saw just six defensive snaps in Detroit and lived on special teams, which is exactly where he’s likely to stay this week against Minnesota unless injuries force a shuffle. The tackling form betrayed him when he did get on the field with high pads, flat angles, and a tendency to tackle by barging the player rather than wrapping up. Expect him to handle coverage duties while he spends the week sanding down those fundamentals. Grade: 41.1 Trikweze Bridges (CB) Seventh Round Bridges is ticketed for special teams again just like in Detroit. Expect only emergency snaps at outside corner if needed. Quiet is good, a flag-free, field-position night is the assignment. Grade: 44.1 Alijah Clark (DB) UDFA Clark will mirror the workload on special teams like last week and only jump in at safety if injuries pile up. Grade: 72.7 (ST Grade) Jaydon Blue (RB) Fifth Round Inactive Grade: 50.0 Ajani Cornelius (OT) Sixth Round Inactive Grade: N/A Jay Toia (DT) Seventh Round Inactive Grade: 29.9 Phil Mafah (RB) Seventh Round Inactive Grade: N/A Minnesota Vikings Donovan Jackson (OG) First Round Jackson has settled in at left guard as a true every-down rookie, and the profile is taking shape. His blocking win-rate tables lists him at 75% in Run Block Win Rate, which is tenth among inside offensive linemen, but he’s not charted in pass blocking. This matches the Vikings’ unit as a whole where they sit first in the league in Run Block Win Rate, but 24th in Pass Block Win Rate. Basically, Minnesota is getting the run tracked on schedule, but pass protection is